Costing £16 million and taking four years to create, Wicker Man has been designed to take riders on a multi-sensory experience through the mysterious world of The Beornen, a shadowy group living in the woods surrounding Alton Towers.

The long-awaited ride has had tongues flapping - but would it live up to the hype? We went along to find out.

Being guided through the dark paths of the theme park on a Friday night, listening to the beating of the drums, smelling burning wood, it was almost enough to make you wonder whether you were indeed about to be sacrificed to the Wicker Man!

The ride was visually stunning; dramatically lit, with flames shooting out of the wooden structure as the coaster sped through a half-human-half-ram’s-head.

A video plays: telling us we are part of ‘the chosen few’ - and you must be sacrificed as a gift to the Wicker Man.

The Wicker man at Alton Towers (Image: Alton Towers)

Then it’s time for the main event - plenty of twists, turns and an airy feeling speeding along at 44mph over one of the many dips in the track.

The entire experience separates this from any other rollercoaster in the world. It’s not just about the movement, all of your senses are engaged (at one point you’re even sprayed with water, FYI).